Kluizenaar S. Macarius Aegyptius 1612 - 1700

This charcoal drawing by Dutch Golden Age artist Harmen ter Borch depicts Saint Macarius, a 4th-century Egyptian hermit and a figure of great significance in Christian history. The drawing, dating from between 1612 and 1700, is a masterful study in light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and realism. The figure is rendered with a sense of quietude, and the artist's attention to detail highlights the folds of Macarius' robe and the texture of the surface he rests his hand on. This study, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to ter Borch's skill as a draughtsman.